Fuel spreader assembly for use in a gasifier

Abstract

A pyrolysis gasifier includes a first auger (26) which moves carbon from a carbon collection tank (24) through an air lock valve (30) to a carbon holding tank (28). The gasifier includes an inner cylindrical sleeve (80) which is configured such that there is a small air gap between it and an interior wall of the gasifier (16). The air lock valve (30) includes an inlet member (96) which connects the housing to a connecting tube from the first auger (26). A plate (100) within the housing is mounted such that in a closed position, the plate is sealingly positioned against a lower edge of the inlet member (96), while in an open position, the plate is away from the inlet member, permitting carbon to move into the carbon holding tank. A fuel spreader apparatus 53 is positioned at the top portion of the gasifier. It includes a stirring rod (44) and two opposed fuel paddle assemblies (67, 69) at the lower end thereof to spread the fuel over the cross-sectional area of the gasifier.

We claim: 
     
       1. A fuel spreader assembly for use in a gasifier, the fuel spreader assembly comprising: a support rod extending downwardly into the gasifier at an upper end of the gasifier;   a support assembly, fixedly connected to the support rod in the vicinity of a lower end of the support rod;   at least two separate, circumferentially spaced-apart fuel paddle assemblies, such that said fuel paddle assemblies do not overlap circumferentially, each paddle assembly being relatively narrow compared to the circumference of the gasifier, each paddle assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and being rotatably connected to the support assembly near said proximal end for movement of the paddle assembly in a vertical plane, wherein the paddle assemblies are connected to the support assembly such that there is an approximately central opening between the proximal ends of the paddle assemblies, such that in operation fuel falls through said central opening, and wherein the paddle assemblies each have at least one opening therethrough;   means for rotating the paddle assemblies in a horizontal plane; and   cover means movably mounted on each paddle assembly, for selectively closing at least a portion of said at least one opening.   
     
     
       2. The spreader assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover is movable so as to cover the said at least one opening throughout a range from fully opened to fully closed. 
     
     
       3. The spreader assembly of claim 1, including at least two spaced openings in each of the paddle assemblies, each opening having a movable cover associated therewith. 
     
     
       4. The spreader of claim 1, wherein each fuel paddle assembly comprises a flat base portion in which the openings are located, and two approximately parallel side portions which extend upwardly therefrom, and wherein the support assembly includes two generally opposed support plates, the side portions of the paddle assemblies being rotatably connected to the opposed support plates, such that the paddle assemblies rotate in a vertical plane. 
     
     
       5. The spreader assembly of claim 1, wherein the paddle assemblies consist of two generally opposed fuel paddle assemblies. 
     
     
       6. The spreader assembly of claim 1, including a plurality of bar-like elements at a lower end of support means, which aids in distributing fuel onto the paddle assemblies.